TOP names in the motor racing world are donating gifts for a charity Scalextric grand prix sparked by a late-night chat between a publican and customer.

TOP names in the motor racing world are donating gifts for a charity Scalextric grand prix sparked by a late-night chat between a publican and customer.

Kevin Collins, landlord of the Cross Keys at Redgrave, is hosting the event on Saturday in aid of the air ambulance. And a website set up four days ago to promote the fund-raiser has already had close on 1,300 hits.

“I was reminiscing with one of my customers, Mike Bentley, about when we were kids and we got around to things like Scalextric. I have got some in the loft and I brought it down so we could have a runabout in the bar, and it's snowballed. My wife got in touch with Meridian Raceway Club from Rackheath, which is a new Scalextric club and they are going to run it all for us,” he said.

Competitors will race matched cars over a competition circuit with computer controlled timings and the action will be screened on a TV in the bar, starting at 2pm.

Entry is £1 per person, and there will be five sponsored F1 races as well as events for men, women and children and teams, together with a raffle and an online auction of some of the star memorabilia.

“Martin Brundle has sent signed memorabilia, we are getting stuff from Dunlop, Treadfirst and Lotus, and we have an exclusive limited edition 1992 poster from Brian Lister of Saffron Walden, who used to build and race Le Mans 24hour cars. It's signed by the artist and we've already got a bid of £100,” added Mr Collins.

The air ambulance was chosen to benefit as it helps save lives in rural areas such as Redgrave, and is one of the Cross Keys' chosen charities for this year.